Package-feed mechanism.



No. 790,454. I PATENTED MAY 23, 1905. F. M. PETERS & H. H. HUNGB RFORD.

PACKAGE FEED MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 14, 1901 4 SHEHTFr-SHEBT -1.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED MAY 23, 1905.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.14, 1901 F. PETERS & H. H. HUNGERFORD. PACKAGE FEED MECHANISM.

I v PATENTED MAY 23, I905. FEM. PETERS & H. H. HUNGERPORD.

PACKAGE FEED MEGHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED DEO.14, 1901 4 SHBBTS-SHEET 3.

5 5, a w .4 22 2% J 0 v4 m v r w L r 1 a 8 M, L 6 7 k 2v 7 0 5 No. 790,454. PATENTED MAY 23, 1905'.

F. M. PETERS & H. H. 'HUNGERFORD.

PAGKAGE'PEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 14, 1901 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Patented May 23, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK M. PErERs- AND HENRY H. HUNGERFORD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; G RFORDASSIGNOR TO SAID PETERS.

a PACKAGE-FEED MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 7 90,454, dated May 23, 1905. i

' Application filed December 14. 1901. Serial no; 85,964.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK M. PETERS and HENRY H. HUNGERFORD, of Chicago, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Package-Feed Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for feeding forward successively boxes or packages.

Our present invention has been designed more especially, though not exclusively, with reference to its use in connection with a wrapping and labeling machine such as is disclosed in United States Letters Patent heretofore granted to us on April 16, 1901, No. 672,286, 7 our presentmechanism being designed to take the place of the manual package-feed for which the machine of our aforesaid patent is adapted, but it will be evident that our present improvements are equally applicable to, and may be advantageously used in connection with,'any machine to which boxes, cartons, or packages of uniform size and shape are to be successively fed for any purpose whatever.

The primary object of our invention is to secure the uniform and regular feeding forward of such packages to the receiving-chute of the machine in properly-timed succession to insure the receipt of each package in its turn by the machine and the subsequent performance of the several functions of the machine upon the packages in the order and manner required by the operation of the machine. To this end our invention in the application herein shown consists in an automatic feed mechanism operated from the main drivingshaft of the machine and in properly-timed relation to the operation of the elements of the machine which subsequently engage, wrap, and label the packages, said mechanism being adapted to engage the packages or boxes successively as they approach the receiving chute, automatically force the packages one by one into the receiving-chute beneath a vertical operating-plunger therein, and at the same time engage and restrain the forward movement ofv each next to the leading package into the chute until the reception of the immediately-preceding or leading package of the series has been accomplished and the machine has advanced to a position of readines to receive the next package.

The preferred form in which we have embodied our invention is illustrated in the drawings accompanying this application, in Which Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the mechanism embodying our present improve-- ments, the same being shown in association with a wrapping and labeling machine such as is disclosed in our prior patent referred to. Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of a part of the mechanism embodying our improvements. Fig.- 3 isan enlarged rear end view of the package-feeding device and the parts immediately cooperating therewith. Fig. 1 is an inner side elevational view, stillfurther enlarged, of a portionof one of the followerguides, illustrating a stepped depression at the inner end thereof. Fig. 5 is a detached detail in top plan view of a cam-plate carried by the follower and actuating the packagerestraining fingers; and Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are detail side elevational views of the inner end of the package-feed trough, illustrating various positions of the package actuating and restraining devices.

Referring first, briefly, to the general outline views of the wrapping and labeling machine in connection with which our invention is employed in the instance shown, 9 and 10 designate the side members of a stationary frame, in which on an oscillating shaft 11 is loosely journaled a rotary carrier frame 12, in the periphery of which latter is provided at regular intervals a series of package-receptacles 13.

The carrier 12 isg'ven an inter-,

mittent rotary movement in one ifiction from of the rotary carrier. The plunger 16 and its operating means are fully described in our former patent above referred to and need not, therefore, be more specifically set forth herein, since they do not constitute elements of our present invention, but are merely incident thereto in the application of our invention herein shown as immediately cooperating devices.

17 designates as an entirety a feed-trough, into and through which the boxes or packages to be handled are suitably fed in close order into the receiving-chute 15.

Referring now more particularly to the showing in Figs. 3 and 4, it will be observed that the horizontal trough or feed-chute 17 rests at its base by means of lateral flanges 17 upon and is bolted to the top portions of the main side frames 9 and 10 of the machine. The base or bottom wall of the trough 17 is also provided on its under side and along the opposite sides thereof with a pair of parallel slideways 18, these latter being horizontally grooved in their proximate faces, as at 19, to receive a pair of corresponding slides 20, formed integral with a horizontally-reciproeating follower 21. The trough 17 has a pair of inwardly-extending parallel side ledges 17, it being noted that the upper face of the follower is slightly below the upper surface of these ledges, all as plainly shown in Fig. 3. By reference to Fig. 4 it will also be seen that the inner ends of the ledges of the trough are somewhat depressed below the'main level of said ledges, as shown at 22, and this depressed portion in longitudev or fore and rear extent is somewhat in excess of the horizontal thickness or width of one of the packages which are fed therethrough. In the operation of our invention this follower 21 is designed to be given a forward and rearward reciprocating travel bearing a fixed and properly-timed relation to the upward and downward travel of the plunger 16. The mechanism which we have devised for imparting a proper travel to the follower comprises a cam 23, fast on a counter-shaft 24, which latter is suitably journaled in the main frames 9 and 10 and is driven from the main shaft 14 by gears 25 and 26. The cam 23 has in one face thereof an irregular cam-groove 23, which latter is entered by a laterally-extending pin 27, projecting from the proximate side of an arm 28, one end of which. is bifurcated, as shown at 29, and stfild'les'the shaft 24, its opposite end being conneeted with the lower end of a substantially vertically-disposed lever 30, pivoted at 31 to the frame 9. The upper end of lever is connected, through a pivoted link 32, with the lower end of a crank-arm 33, which is keyed on a horizontally-disposed rock-shaft 34, journaled transversely across and between the side frame members 9 and 10 and lying directly below the feed-trough 17. An oppositely-disposed crank-arm 35, keyed on the rock-shaft 34 at or near the middle portion thereof, is connected with the under side of the follower 21 through an intermediate pivoted link 36 in such a manner that the oscillations of the rock-shaft 34 and the consequent swinging movement of the crank-arm imparts a to-and-fro reciprocating travel to the follower 21 to an extent substantially coextensive with the length of the depressed portion 22 of the trough. It may here be noted that the actuating-cam 23 is of irregular formation and so actuates the connections therefrom to the follower as to impart a continuous and substantially uniform forward or operative stroke to the follower, but an interrupted or two-part return stroke to the latter, the follower undergoing a period of rest about half-way between the forward and rear extremes of its return or idle travel while the plunger 16 is performing a part of its downstroke and nearly the whole of its u p or return stroke, as more particularly set forth hereinafter in the description of the operation.

The function of the follower 21 is primarily that of a pusher device to impart to each suecessive package its final forward movement out of the trough 17 and into the chute 15, where it is subsequently cared for by the plunger 16. In order that this function of the follower may be properly carried out. it is essential to provide certain stop devices at the inner end of the trough which shall coo ierate with the successive packages and with the follower in such a manner as to prohibit any crowding of the packages as they enter the receiving-chute 15 and insure the introduction of each package at just the proper interval in the operation of the machine. In carrying out this part of our invention we have provided a pair of lingers 37, which are keyed at their lower ends on rock-shafts 38, mounted longitudinally of the slideways 18 on either side thereof in such a manner as to render them capable of oscillal ion in a direction trans verse to the trough 17. These lingers, which are pivoted just outside and below the side walls of the trough, have inwardly-bent upper ends 37, which latter are adapted to play back and forth through slots 39, formed in said side walls of the trough 17 near its extreme inner end, as plainly shown in Fig. 4. A pair of leaf-springs 40, bearing, respectively, at their free ends on the backs of the lingers 37 above their pivots, normally tend to thrust and hold the upper bent ends 37" of the fingers within the trough, Fig. 3.

Journaled in and between the side walls of the trough 17 and at the top thereof is another rock-shaft 41, carrying keyed thereon a forwardly-projecting stop-linger 42, this latter having a downwardly-bent free end 42, which is adapted at a certain point in the operation of the mechanism to engage the upper forward edge of each package in its turn and hold it back while the immediately-pre- IIS ceding or leading package of the series is dropped by the retreat of the follower and subsequently forced forward into the receiving-chute15 to be cared for by the plunger end of a depending arm 44, fast on the overhanging end of the rock-shaft. A coiled spring 45, surrounding the overhanging end of the shaft 41, normally tends to-rock the shaft in adirection opposite to the movement imparted by the cam-plate thereto and to normally maintain the finger 42 depressed. The opposite side of the follower is also equipped with a cam-plate 43, which resembles the camplate on the right-hand side of the follower in all respects except that itis unprovided with the shoulder 43* These cam-plates are each further provided with an oblique camshoulder 43 the latter being adapted to engage-short'depending arms 46, fast on the inner ends,-respectively, of the longitudinal rock-shafts 38, such engagement operatingduring the latter part of the inward'or return movement-of the follower to withdraw the fingers 37 from the trough and holding the same withdrawn until the follower has parpackage past the openings 39.

tially completed its forward movement to the extent of moving the front face of the foremost Referring now to the operation of our improved package feed mechanism,- for the proper understanding of which the detail views shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 will be of assistance, the packages disposed side by side in close relation, asindicated by dotted lines in the figures last-referred to, are fed into the trough 17 by means of a suitable conveyerbelt or a gravity-chute or otherwise, the-packages being under a pressure moving them forward. The packages thus presented advance in close succession through the trough until the leaderor forward package abuts the fingers 37 and is held thereby from entering the chute 15, as-shown inFig. 6. At this instant,

assuming that the follower is at the limit of its forward movement, the top finger 42 is in its elevated position out ofengagement with the packages,=the end of arm 44 resting on cam 43. Upon the continued operation of the machine the follower is returned through a portion of its rearward travel to an extent sufficient to withdraw the cam-block 43 from beneath the arm 44 and permit the finger 42 to drop with its hooked end 42 resting on top of the foremost package, as shown in, Fig. 7. The follower there pauses while the plunger 16 is taking care of the previously-introduced package and is returning to its elevated positionforthe reception therebeneath of the next package. -When nowthe plunger 16 has returned to its elevated position ready to operate upon the next package, the follower performs the balance of its rearward movement, this-latter permitting the foremost package to drop and rest on the base 22 of the downwardly-stepped portion of the trough, the finger 42 following the same, and thereby assuming a position ready to hook over the upper front edge of the next succeeding package, as shown in Fig. 8. During this'final rearward movement of the plunger the camshoulders 43 of the cam-blocks 43 engage the arms 46, thereby rocking the shafts 38 in a direction to withdraw the laterally-operating stop-fingers 37 and leave the trough clear for the passage of the foremost package'into the chute 15, all as plainly illustrated in Fig. 8. The follower having thus reached the limit of its inward movement at once returns without pause and abuts thelower rear portion of the leading package, the cam 43 still keeping the.

fingers 37 withdrawn. Continuing its forward movement, the follower positively pushes the foremost package straight on into the chute 15 beneath the plunger 16.

During this operation the arms 46 leave the cams 43, but not until the front margins of the ends of the package have passed the open-' whereupon under the action of their springs '40 they at once snap inwardly in rear of the departing package and in front'of the next succeeding package. During this final portionof the followers advance the cam-shoulder 43 has also engaged and raised the arm 44, thereby raising the hook 42 out of restraining engagement with the second package and allowing it to follow theleading package at a slight interval therebehind until its further progress'is blocked by thestop-fingers 37, thus bringing the parts again to the relative positions indicated in Fig. 6, whereupon the above cycle' of operations is repeated and the packages are fed successively in a uniform manner to the chute 15.

Itwill of course be understood that'in the application of our invention herein shownand described the follower-actuating parts will be so timed-relatively to the plunger-actuating device as to properly cooperate therewith. The purpose of interrupting the rearward travel of the follower and following such pauseby a quick rearward-and return stroke is to effect a perfectly square seating of the foremost package in the depressed end of the trough prior to the engagement of the follower therewith. We have found in practice that where the follower is slowly withdrawn, the forward lower edge of the package dropping before its rear edge is seated, the package assumes and sometimes sticks in atilted that the follower strikes the obliquely-poised base of the package rather than its rear wall;

but by quickly withdrawing the follower from beneath the package the latter tends to drop bodily and 'seat squarely in the depressed portion of the trough.

It will be evident that so far as the broad features of our invention are concerned the precise location of the follower relatively to the package-feed trough is immaterial, also that instead of engaging the foremost package of the line the follower might engage the second, third, or any other package, thus advancing a block of packages at each forward movement. It is also apparentthat numerous modifications and changes in the detail structure of our invention would readily suggest themselves to the mind of a skilled mechanic acquainted with our invention, and hence we do not desire to be limited to the precise details of structure and arrangement herein shown and described, except to the extent that they may be made the subject of specific claims.

We claim 1. In a package-feeding mechanism the com- 1 bination with means for advancing the packages in a line or row, of a movable stop for engaging the foremost package, means for feeding said foremost package forwardly, a second movable stop for arresting the movement of the row of packages while the foremost one is being moved forward and means for actuating said stops in due order and relation, substantially as described.

2. In a package-feed mechanism, the combination with a suitable feed-trough, of a reciprocating follower operating in the trough, and actuating means therefor, said follower being adapted to engage one of the packages and advance the same, a spring-actuated stopfinger penetrating the wall of the trough transversely thereof, and means intermediate the follower and said finger whereby the latter is withdrawn and held withdrawn until the front face of the adjacent box has been pushed beyond the transverse plane in which the stopfinger is located, substantially as described.

3. In a package-feed mechanism, the combination with a suitable trough having its bottom wall downwardly stepped or depressed at the inner or discharge end thereof, of a follower slidably mounted in said bottom wall and overrunning said downwardly-stepped portion, means for reciprocating said follower, and stop devices for the packages located at the forward end of the trough, and normally preventing the movement of the packages until the foremost package has become seated in the depressed portion of the trough and the follower has impinged the rear wall of said package on its advance movement, substantially as described.

4. In a mechanism of the character described,the combination with a suitable trough having its bottom wall downwardly stepped or depressed at its discharge end and a fol lower slidably mounted in the bottom of said wall, of a stop-finger mounted above and overhanging said trough and normally resting on top of the foremost package and adapted to restrain the nextsucceeding package and. the line of packages behind it, and actuating connections between said finger and the follower adapted to raise the finger and release the line of packages at a point during the discharge of the foremost package from the trough, substantially as described.

5. In a mechanism of the character described,the combination with a suitable trough for the feed of the packages and a reciprocating package-discharging follower in the bottom thereof, ofa stop-finger transversely penetrating the side wall of the trough near its discharge end, another stop-finger pivoted upon and overhanging the trough in rear of said lateral stop-finger, and mechanism for actuating and controlling said stop-lingers in suitablytimed relation to the movements of the follower whereby while the lateral linger is withdrawn to permit the discharge of the foremost package, the overhanging finger is permitted to drop and engages and holds back the succeeding packages of the series, substantially as described.

6. In a mechanism of the character described,the combination with a suitable trough for the feed of the DILCIGLg'GS and a reciprocating package-discharging follower in the bottom thereof, of a pair of stop-fingers transversely penetrating the opposite sides of the trough respectively near its discharge end, a third stop-finger pivoted upon and overhanging the trough in rear of the lateral stop-lingers, and mechanism for actuating and controlling said stop-fingers in suitably-timed relation to the movements of the follower and each other, substantially as described.

7. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a suital )le trough for the feed of the packages, said trough having its bottom wall downwardly stepped or depressed at the discharge end thereof, and a reciprocating package-discharging follower in the bottom thereof, of a pair of pivoted stopfingers transversely penetrating the opposite sides of the trough respectively near its discharge end, a third stop-linger pivoted upon and overhanging the trough in rear of the lateral stop-fingers, and mechanism for actuating and controlling said stop-fingers in suitably-timed relation to the movements of the follower and each other, substantially as described.

8. In a mechanism of the character described, the eombination with a feed-trough and a reciprocating follower located and operating in the floor of said trough, of a pair of spring-actuated stop-fingers operating transversely through the side Walls of the trough at its discharge end, a third spring-actuated stop-finger mounted upon and overhanging the trough in rear of the lateral stop-fingers, a camplate secured to the follower, and actu ating connections for Withdrawing said stopfingers lying in the path of and actuated in 

